Chapter 595

Li Chengqian remained silent.

In fact, he himself was also gritting his teeth and not backing down; when Li Shimin directly called his name, his mind hadn't even turned around, and he subconsciously blurted out those words.

Li Chengqian couldn't even understand what had come over him today; he actually dared to say such things to his father, the heavenly khan.

But he had no regrets.

Yes!

Perhaps his abilities are temporarily lacking, but he has never been a weak person.

No matter what he did or said, since it has come to this, he will not regret it.

Li Chengqian is courageous, and indeed full of courage.

His courage comes from the ever-supportive Empress Changsun and Chen Yan, and even more from the integrity deep in his bloodline!

"Crown Prince!" Li Shimin gazed at the Li Chengqian below with an unruffled expression, then slowly said, "What's up? Do you think your wings have hardened, that you can spread them and fly high?"

"Your Majesty, you overstate it." Li Chengqian spoke in a low tone, yet his words shocked everyone: "My wings are not hardened, but I wish them to become so, to achieve the spreading and flying high you spoke of."

So, I have come today.

Not only will I take the Lai brothers, but I will also continue to take the three Li Yifu of Weinan County.

After so many years, the talents selected through the Imperial Examination are already plenty enough for your use; let these few remain with me.

Li Shimin's eyes showed astonishment; he sat down, remained silent for a long while, then softly scoffed, "I am truly curious: why, the former Crown Prince who was stifled and only sought to avoid mistakes, has become so bold today?"

"Is it Chen Zian who gave you this courage?"

"As your steadfast supporter, he has reached the position of Minister of Revenue; together with Du Gou and others, he almost controls the entire Ministry of Revenue, hehe... If we also count the Money Shop, saying that your Crown Prince's faction holds sway over all the world's wealth is no problem."

"You really aren't thinking that your wings have hardened, which is why you dare to confront me, are you?"

"What, are you preparing to recruit talents and go it alone?"

"I have never thought that way." Li Chengqian slowly shook his head and spoke softly: "I also don't want to repeat it again; 'wings hardened' is a poor description."

"Zi Anxiong and I have a good relationship, but in fact he has never given me any political support. Private friendship stays private; we have never crossed any line."

"I have only one purpose today: I hope Father Emperor does not complicate what is already complicated. The people of the Eastern Palace are not fit for great use, so Zi Anxiong privately cultivated two talents for me; I have come to take them away, that's all."

Li Shimin's forehead showed two black lines.

He felt both angry and amused.

He was angry because of what Li Chengqian said today, which was essentially opposing him head-on.

He was amused because his son had finally amounted to something.

He had already faintly cultivated his own influence, possessing the courage and bearing a qualified heir should have.

After a while, Li Shimin also grew tired of arguing with Li Chengqian, propped his chin, and waved lightly: "Lai Ji, as the top-ranked jinshi, also known colloquially as the zhuangyuan, you certainly cannot take him away."

"As for his elder brother Lai Heng... you decide for yourself."

"I kneel to thank Father Emperor."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian felt refreshed and immediately knelt and kowtowed.

Another black line appeared on Li Shimin's forehead.

He knew Li Chengqian could not be unaware of Lai Ji's current status; how could he possibly insist on taking him away?

By speaking so harshly, he was merely giving him room to negotiate.

"Get lost... never mind, go over there; our Duke should arrive any moment, so you stay as well."

Li Chengqian was startled, then reacted, bowed again in thanks, then nonchalantly walked to the side and sat down.

Li Shimin: "......"

Fine!

The Crown Prince truly lives up to being the Crown Prince~

What Li Shimin said is not bad; Chen Yan and his group are indeed arriving soon.

Just as the father and son stared at each other in silence, a eunuch came to report that Chen Yan, Du Ruhui, and others had arrived.

"Let them in." Li Shimin waved his hand.

Not long after, Chen Yan's group entered familiarly, intending to follow the usual procedure, but they discovered Li Chengqian was present, and the atmosphere between this father and son seemed somewhat strange.

On both sides, a row of palace maids and eunuchs knelt.

Everyone immediately sensed something was off.

Chen Yan probed, "Your Majesty, have you eaten today?"

"'I have eaten. What's up?' Li Shimin replied expressionlessly."

"'Since you've eaten, that's good. We came over just to ask if you've eaten, to look after your health; since you have, we'll be on our way.'"

While saying this, Chen Yan quietly shifted his position backward, really intending to leave.

Today's Imperial Examination results came out; the Lai brothers swept the top two jinshi positions, and thinking back to what I had said to Li Chengqian earlier...

Even if one thought with Yuchi Baolin's brain, he would understand what just happened here.

Why not hurry off posthaste instead of sticking around to eat?

Fang Xuanling and others likewise sensed something amiss; they were certain this father and son had something going on, and they all voiced their agreement with Chen Yan.

Even Wei Zheng was no exception.

Today's matter... if you say it's important, it is; if you say it's not important, it's really just this.

We can discuss it next time, or even after tomorrow's court session; there's no need to rush.

A vein bulged on Li Shimin's hand as he said, word by word, "But I haven't eaten my fill; please, all you ministers and dukes, keep me company while I continue eating!"

Everyone: "......"

Though put as a request, Li Shimin's words obviously brooked no refusal.

Chen Yan felt bitter inside, and under Li Shimin's gloomy gaze, he drooped his head and sat down.

"What's up with this? Duke? You don't seem very enthusiastic."

Li Shimin narrowed his eyes, "I invited you to dine, but you seem very unwilling."

"...... Your Majesty, I cannot bear the title of Duke; just call me Little Chen......"

Upon hearing this, Du Ruhui, Fang Xuanling, and the others couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.

Even Changsun Wújì started to chuckle.

Li Shimin's eye twitched, and he let out a long sigh inwardly.

How did he end up with such a son-in-law?

"Forget it, stop the nonsense, sit down." Li Shimin didn't want to continue arguing, picked up the teacup beside him, took a sip, to calm himself.

"The Imperial Examination results have been posted; tell me what you think."

As the words fell, everyone's gaze fell on Chen Yan.

Actually, today besides the Lai brothers' great fame, Chen Yan is no less distinguished.

Because they all know that the Lai brothers were cultivated by Chen Yan.

The fact that so many commoners passed the exam is also thanks to Chen Yan's library.

Li Shimin's lips moved slightly, and with a suppressed laugh he said: "Little Chen, speak up!"

Chen Yan: "......"

"......"